Opinions

The last couple of weeks I've been singing the same lyric over and over. “Where has all the bean dip gone?” It's set to the same music as Paula Cole's 1990s hit, “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone.” There is a real connection between cowboys and beans.

When I got back from my holiday vacation in noticably warmer climates, I secretly found myself wishing that I could enjoy a little bit of snow as winter in Kansas continues. It made sense when I first thought about it.

So, how do you get a long holiday vacation to Central and South America started with an even bigger bang than the sheer impact of such a trip? I decided to give myself (and others) a gift of holiday magic as Kim and I and another couple prepared to leave Wichita from Eisenhower International Airport the middle of last month. We were headed to Miami first, and a few days later we shipped out for the Panama Canal and numerous ports around it.

Dear Savvy Senior, How do I go about canceling a person’s social media accounts when they die? My wife passed away a few months ago and her social media accounts are still active. Sad Spouse Dear Sad, I’m very sorry for your loss, but this is a smart move on your behalf and one that often gets overlooked.

Savvy Senior Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I turn to for caregiving help? I help take care of my 80-yearold father and work, too, and it’s wearing me out. Worn Out Wendy Dear Wendy, Taking care of an aging parent over a period of time – especially when juggling work and other family obligations – can be exhausting.

Random Thoughts I was blessed to spend Christmas weekend with my whole family in the Kansas City area. The California branch flew in, and the Wichita- area branch – myself, my son/roommate Aaron, and the newlyweds Isaac and Kelsey – drove up.

From the Editor’s Files Editor's note: Publisher Paul Rhodes wrote this column exactly 11 years ago. It's a touching look at a big change in his life more than a decade ago, and he wanted to share it again.

Editor’s note: Publisher Paul Rhodes wrote this column eight years ago. It’s just as pertinent now as it was nearly a decade ago, and he wanted to share it again.

Family comes in many shapes and forms. That became very relevant to me over the past two weeks and especially on Saturday, as my extended family lost an anchor.

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you explain to me how the retirement saver’s tax credit works? My wife and I are in our fifties and are looking for creative ways to boost our retirement savings beyond our 401(k). Is this something we may be eligible for? Struggling to Save Dear Struggling, If your income is low to moderate and you participate in your employer- sponsored retirement plan or an IRA, the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit (aka “Saver’s Credit”) is a frequently overlooked tool that can help boost your retirement savings even more.